Twelve Hours With Tuptim! We Explore Backstage at Lincoln Center For the First Time in Exclusive, Hilarious Pics From The King and I

We Go Backstage at Lincoln Center in Exclusive, Hilarious Pics From The King and I

Spend a two-show day with Ashley Park, who stars as Tuptim in Lincoln Center Theater’s Tony-winning revival of The King and I. As one of Playbill’s Breakout Performances of the season, Ashley delivers heartbreaking fire and tears as Broadway’s newest soprano ingénue onstage… but she sings a whole different tune backstage. Follow her on Twitter.

98 PHOTOS

First thing's first. The all-too-necessary Neti. Because who doesn't start their morning with a sexy sinus rinse? (I'll spare you the action shot). These allergies got NOTHIN on me.
Ashley Park

First thing's first. The all-too-necessary Neti. Because who doesn't start their morning with a sexy sinus rinse? (I'll spare you the action shot). These allergies got NOTHIN on me.

I start every day with Juice Press. Cold-Pressed baby! I always get their hot tea (Ginger extract, Lemon Juice, and organic honey) to boost my immune and digestive systems first thing. Since it's a two-show day, I'll go for the "Gravity" over my usual "Mother Earth" for that extra E-3 Live energy boost!
Ashley Park

I start every day with Juice Press. Cold-Pressed baby! I always get their hot tea (Ginger extract, Lemon Juice, and organic honey) to boost my immune and digestive systems first thing. Since it's a two-show day, I'll go for the "Gravity" over my usual "Mother Earth" for that extra E-3 Live energy boost!

Birthday celebration at Half-hour! One of our Royal Children, Lynn, is turning 10! Double digits woohoooo

Baby photos from our King and I baby photo challenge. Participants submitted a baby pic and we all guessed who was who. Guess who got 100% correct: Mzzzz Kelli O'Hara
Ashley Park

Baby photos from our King and I baby photo challenge. Participants submitted a baby pic and we all guessed who was who. Guess who got 100% correct: Mzzzz Kelli O'Hara

Half-hour also means time for Angel Cards! I make my way through all the dressing rooms and hallways so folks can pick their "Angel for the day" from my baggy. It's a fun way to check in with everyone before the show and kickstart energy! Ali, Q, and Autumn got "Simplicity", "Respect", and "Surrender" :)
Ashley Park

Half-hour also means time for Angel Cards! I make my way through all the dressing rooms and hallways so folks can pick their "Angel for the day" from my baggy. It's a fun way to check in with everyone before the show and kickstart energy! Ali, Q, and Autumn got "Simplicity", "Respect", and "Surrender" :)

Hello gentlemen! Ready for your angels? Graced by the smiles of Paul (our Kralahome), Andrew (who is our Phra Alack for the week) and Alan (who is learning the Phra track before joining our company next week!)
Ashley Park

Hello gentlemen! Ready for your angels? Graced by the smiles of Paul (our Kralahome), Andrew (who is our Phra Alack for the week) and Alan (who is learning the Phra track before joining our company next week!)

Ashley Park

Do your BEST (with a little help from Throat Coat). Time for pin curls!
Ashley Park

Do your BEST (with a little help from Throat Coat). Time for pin curls!

As I get my pin curls in, some views of my station : Catherine Zuber renderings, my sweet birthday gift from "my first husband" Ken Watanabe.

This is the gorgeous crown that was cut from my Act 2 costume early in tech & previews. They still let Princess Tuptim keep it in her dressing room though... And on particularly long two-show days, or at the end of a long week, we like to joke that I'll run on with the crown for curtain call...
Ashley Park

This is the gorgeous crown that was cut from my Act 2 costume early in tech & previews. They still let Princess Tuptim keep it in her dressing room though... And on particularly long two-show days, or at the end of a long week, we like to joke that I'll run on with the crown for curtain call...

Off to sing "My Lord and Master"... see you onstage Ruthie!
Ashley Park

Off to sing "My Lord and Master"... see you onstage Ruthie!

Cutie Timothy shows off his slinkie as I head up to my first cue!
Ashley Park

Cutie Timothy shows off his slinkie as I head up to my first cue!

Del is my gracious and amazing support every show. Look at that smile! Right now, she's holding my first costume's long train as we make our way upstairs to the Beaumont Lobby!
Ashley Park

Del is my gracious and amazing support every show. Look at that smile! Right now, she's holding my first costume's long train as we make our way upstairs to the Beaumont Lobby!

Heading into the House! My favorite is when we run into late patrons on our way to my first entrance.
Ashley Park

Heading into the House! My favorite is when we run into late patrons on our way to my first entrance.

First scene... check! Thumbs up for Andrew Cheng who is one of our amazing dancers in the show, but is on for this whole week as the role that he understudies, Phra Alack. So we get a moment of fun right now while he's in this track!
Ashley Park

First scene... check! Thumbs up for Andrew Cheng who is one of our amazing dancers in the show, but is on for this whole week as the role that he understudies, Phra Alack. So we get a moment of fun right now while he's in this track!

Costume change... check! Now time for a hairstyle change by Miss. John! (I spy mirror kissies from sweet Betsy Morgan!)

Passing by Yuki (dance captain) and Marc (Sound Supervisor) watching the show on the Monitor at the sound table in the vamp
Ashley Park

Passing by Yuki (dance captain) and Marc (Sound Supervisor) watching the show on the Monitor at the sound table in the vamp

Once in a while, I get here early enough to help out with the vamp puzzle. Right now, it's my favorite painting: Van Gogh's "Starry Night"
Ashley Park

Once in a while, I get here early enough to help out with the vamp puzzle. Right now, it's my favorite painting: Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

Y'all, I got the best view of Kelli's hoop-skirt-tush and audience feet from my entrance spot in the vamp... tehehehe
Ashley Park

Y'all, I got the best view of Kelli's hoop-skirt-tush and audience feet from my entrance spot in the vamp... tehehehe

A few minutes to kill before the Schoolroom scene, means some reading of Tuptim's prop "Uncle Tom's Cabin" book in Dressing Room 7... spoiler: snowwwwww
Ashley Park

A few minutes to kill before the Schoolroom scene, means some reading of Tuptim's prop "Uncle Tom's Cabin" book in Dressing Room 7... spoiler: snowwwwww

Just finished kissing in the shadows onstage with my Lun Tha (Conrad Ricamora), and so I've got some time to visit with the other royal princesses!
Ashley Park

Just finished kissing in the shadows onstage with my Lun Tha (Conrad Ricamora), and so I've got some time to visit with the other royal princesses!

The gals love a good selfie! These little ladies are such sweethearts! Right now, they run an origami factory.
Ashley Park

The gals love a good selfie! These little ladies are such sweethearts! Right now, they run an origami factory.

The boys have sort of a different vibe. Cool dude, swag.
Ashley Park

The boys have sort of a different vibe. Cool dude, swag.

One is not like the other...
Ashley Park

One is not like the other...

.... and you can always count on Andrew Resnick to grab a handful of gummy bears during intermission when he's conducting a show (he's our associate conductor)
Ashley Park

.... and you can always count on Andrew Resnick to grab a handful of gummy bears during intermission when he's conducting a show (he's our associate conductor)

Sometimes I hide under Kelli's station while she's in the bathroom during intermission and wait there until she notices...
Ashley Park

Sometimes I hide under Kelli's station while she's in the bathroom during intermission and wait there until she notices...

... cause a little scare surprise never hurt anyone on a two-show day tehehehe... Kelli is the best sport!
Ashley Park

... cause a little scare surprise never hurt anyone on a two-show day tehehehe... Kelli is the best sport!

Intermission catch-up sesh with Kelli... check! Have a good Act 2!
Ashley Park

Intermission catch-up sesh with Kelli... check! Have a good Act 2!

MaryAnn Hu getting into her Royal Singing Wives costume for Act 2... notice the ladies have to get into their hoops in the hall because they don't fit in their rooms with them on! Hello to dressers Paul and Liz!
Ashley Park

MaryAnn Hu getting into her Royal Singing Wives costume for Act 2... notice the ladies have to get into their hoops in the hall because they don't fit in their rooms with them on! Hello to dressers Paul and Liz!

Time to go downstairs and visit with the boys! Kelvin Moon Loh ices his back in preparation for the ballet while Aaron Albano (assistant dance captain and stellar swing) knits a trendy hat (Fun fact: he knitted me the bag that I carry my pre-show Angel Cards in)
Ashley Park

Time to go downstairs and visit with the boys! Kelvin Moon Loh ices his back in preparation for the ballet while Aaron Albano (assistant dance captain and stellar swing) knits a trendy hat (Fun fact: he knitted me the bag that I carry my pre-show Angel Cards in)

Bennyroyce Royon and Emilio Ramos (who just joined our company a few weeks ago) start the process of applying their makeup for Act 2's "Small House of Uncle Thomas" Ballet.
Ashley Park

Bennyroyce Royon and Emilio Ramos (who just joined our company a few weeks ago) start the process of applying their makeup for Act 2's "Small House of Uncle Thomas" Ballet.

Tuptim is touchy with our Simon of Legree (Chris Vo) and Angel George (Kei Tsuruharatani)! Good thing their Ballet costumes cover up their flabby bellies... ya'll should work out. (Fun fact: Chris is actually a class instructor at Equinox. He kicks butt)
Ashley Park

Tuptim is touchy with our Simon of Legree (Chris Vo) and Angel George (Kei Tsuruharatani)! Good thing their Ballet costumes cover up their flabby bellies... ya'll should work out. (Fun fact: Chris is actually a class instructor at Equinox. He kicks butt)